Winter in the Southern Highlands is one of the most spectacular times of the year, and for good reason. Brilliant bright sunny days and stunning sunsets, the feeling of the crisp winter air on your face and beautiful flowers that are only available at this time of the year, it all comes together to create a truly spectacular day.
Having your wedding in winter isn’t often what people think of when they are choosing a date for their big day. But whether a winter date is significance to you or you are simply choosing to celebrate your love in one of the cooler parts of the year, there are some simple things you can do to ensure that you have a beautiful winter wedding.
BOOKING
There is usually plenty of availability in winter as it is not the traditional wedding season but things are changing so be sure to book early if you have your heart set on a winter wonderland theme.
THE DRESS
Winter gives you a chance to dress in something truly unique and elegant. The cool weather gives you a chance to step out in the most luxurious of gowns without the fear of expiring from heat stroke, or perhaps a classic long-sleeved affair that will really wow your guests. Wear beautiful fur wraps or perhaps a long-hooded cape with faux fur trimmings.
All or any of these ideas allow you to really play up the winter-luxe feeling.
Wear practical shoes! The last thing you want is to have cold feet all day, sink into the grass in stilettos or ruin your beautiful fabric shoes on wet grass. If you have a specific pair of shoes in mind for the day perhaps have something more durable for your ceremony, and change into your preferred shoes for your reception.
THE FLOWERS
Choose seasonal flowers for your bouquet like jonquils, daffodils or camellias. These are all available at The Secret garden during winter and freely available to your florist. How green and sustainable is picking your florals from the garden you are saying your vows in.
THE CEREMONY
Having your wedding ceremony in a garden during winter can be absolutely beautiful, but we would recommend a daytime ceremony. Use the beautiful warm winter light to create stunning photos of you and your partner. With a back drop of beautiful bare trunks of birch or evergreen conifers, an outdoor winter wedding can be truly magical.
Always choose a garden wedding venue that offers a wet weather alternative as regardless of how carefully we can plan we have very little control over the weather and rain can spoil the day. Ideally the undercover areas should be surrounded by gardens to give your ceremony the feeling of being in the garden, which is why you chose an outdoor ceremony in the first place. Here at The Secret Garden we offer two alternative spots that allow you to have a dry and intimate wedding with beautiful garden backdrops, no matter the weather.
THE RECEPTION
Whilst an outdoor reception may not be pleasant in the winter in the Southern Highlands there are plenty of local indoor venues with a big open fire places to keep you and your guests warm. There is nothing quite like a roaring fire to create a cosy and relaxed atmosphere for your reception. Team this with slow roasted meats, rich vegetable dishes and local cool climate wines, a combination creating a wonderful, unforgettable winter ambience.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY
A winter wedding will truly give you some of the most unique photos of your special day. The light is very different from other times of the year and the blue of the sky is soft and almost luminous giving a special glow to your photos. Have your photos taken in The Secret Garden, where we have some lovely winter backdrops such as the Birch walk, with their beautiful white trunks and stunning drifts of daffodils in July and august. There are plenty of evergreen in the garden and from autumn through to spring there are always camellia in flower. Or perhaps photos across our lake with the gazebo perfectly reflected in it.
Own it! A winter wedding is a non-conventional choice, absolutely – but it can be beautiful and totally unique as well as wonderfully romantic.
Why not choose a winter wedding for YOUR special day!
Kathy
The Secret Garden